Saxophonist Brian Perez performs concert

PRINCESS ANNE, MD-(September 27, 2010)Brian Perez, lecturer of woodwinds at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, will perform a saxophone recital on Sunday, Oct., 3, at 4 p.m. in the Ella Fitzgerald Center for the Performing Arts at the university. Joining Perez will be pianist Roy Hakes and saxophonist Brittney Seline.

“So often the saxophone is seen only as a jazz or popular instrument,” Perez said. “However, it has so much more diversity to it. At the recital, I will display this intriguing other side of the saxophone.”

Perez will perform works that represent “the vast influence of a growing global culture.” Aspects of music that will be heard range from classical to modern, and from salsa to boogie-woogie blues. He will play compositions by Paul Hindemith, John Anthony Lennon, Christian Lauba and MishaZupko.

Although he participated in many forms of music and a wide range of instruments, Perez developed a passion for jazz and classical saxophone during his undergraduate studies at the University of Minnesota, Duluth. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in jazz studies and studied abroad at the L’AulaConservatori Del Liceu in Barcelona, Spain.

Perez earned a master’s degree in jazz pedagogy from the University of Miami and is currently pursuing a doctorate in saxophone performance from the University of Maryland College Park.

Over his career, Perez has played with well-known jazz artists Tom Harrell, Byron Stripling and Ernie Watts. He has played professionally in national tours of various musical theater productions. As a concert saxophonist, he has given numerous solo recitals and performed with orchestras such as the Lynn University Orchestra and the Salisbury Symphony Orchestra. Perez has performed in venues across the globe including Los Angeles, New Orleans, Toronto, Spain, Colombia and Venezuela among them.

The saxophone recital is free and open to the public. For information, call 410-651-6571.